Some UH seniors hope for 1 more year

Warriors Purcell, Peters and Ilaoa are among those requesting another season of eligibility

SATURDAY IS Senior Night at Aloha Stadium, but Hawaii's (4-7) game against San Diego State (5-6) probably won't be the last as a Warrior for defensive lineman Melila Purcell.

Purcell is "on track" to regain a season of eligibility he lost as a partial qualifier coming out of high school three years ago, a UH official said.

SAN DIEGO STATE AT HAWAII Where: Aloha Stadium When: 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Hawaii time TV: Live, Oceanic Cable, pay-per-view (Ch. 256). Call 625-8100 on Oahu or (808) 643-2337 statewide. PPV delay at 10:30 p.m. Free on KFVE (channel 5) Sunday on KFVE 10 a.m. Radio: KKEA-1420 Internet: sportsradio1420.com

Purcell, now listed as a senior on the Warriors roster, needs to have 80 percent of his credits toward graduation completed by the end of next summer in order to meet the NCAA eligibility requirement to play next fall. The NCAA rule used to require partial qualifiers to graduate within four years to regain the season of eligibility; it was recently changed to 80 percent of the required credits toward a degree.

Purcell said yesterday his intention is to play another season. According to the school, the sociology major is proceeding on pace to meet the new standard.

"He's on track to do that," UH spokeswoman Lois Manin said.

Purcell is UH's ninth leading tackler this season with 29 stops, despite missing two full games and parts of two more with injuries. He practiced yesterday despite a lingering elbow injury and plans to play Saturday when UH closes its season

Last year he led the Warriors with 15.5 tackles-for-loss, including six sacks (also a team high). In 2003 he played behind Travis LaBoy, the WAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Part of Purcell's motivation to play another year is to be teammates with his brother, defensive lineman Amani Purcell. Amani Purcell is in the process of transferring to UH from Penn State and expects to be eligible next fall.

At least two other players listed as seniors -- safety Leonard Peters and running back Nate Ilaoa -- plan to have the school submit requests on their behalf to have their five years of eligibility extended to six.

Peters suffered a knee injury in the first game of this season and has not played since. Ilaoa missed nearly all of two seasons (2003 and 2004), also with a knee injury. Both players entered UH in the fall of 2001.

Peters led UH in tackles in 2004, and Ilaoa is the Warriors' leading rusher this season.

Running back Bryan Maneafaiga and wide receiver Ian Sample are also forgoing Senior Night honors in hopes of gaining an additional season because of injuries.

"We just happened to have a lot of injuries this year, injuries that qualify for (the waiver)," UH coach June Jones said. "Hopefully they'll get reviewed and receive their appropriate year."

The NCAA usually releases its decisions on waiver requests in the spring.

Meanwhile, junior offensive lineman Samson Satele repeated what he told the Star-Bulletin in June -- that he might leave school early for the NFL Draft.

Satele added yesterday that he would go only if he is projected to be picked in the first two rounds. Guards are rarely chosen in the first two rounds, but at least one Web site has the 6-foot-3, 311-pound Satele listed as the top guard/center prospect for the 2007 draft. Satele might play center at UH if he returns to the Warriors, and that could up his stock.

Satele has started all 38 games in his UH career and is a two-time Western Athletic Conference second-team all-star.

These players will be honored on Senior Night: quarterback Kainoa Akina, defensive lineman Tony Akpan, defensive back Lamar Broadway, linebacker Ikaika Curnan, offensive lineman Brandon Eaton, center Derek Fa'avi, defensive lineman Justin Faimealelei, linebacker Adam Iloilo, safety Landon Kafentzis, linebacker Kila Kamakawiwo'ole, safety Lono Manners, linebacker Tanuvasa Moe, cornerback Turmarian Moreland and quarterback Jeff Rhode.

Bess named: UH slotback Davone Bess was named to the Rivals.com Freshman All-America Team as a first-team receiver.

"I'm privileged and thankful for it," Bess said. "Hard work pays off, and I'm fortunate to have a chance to play at Hawaii. The offensive line, Colt (quarterback Brennan), the other receivers, and of course the fans, they all get a part of this."

Bess is third in the nation in receptions per game (7.73), 11th in receiving yards per game (98.36) and tied for second in NCAA Division I-A with 14 receiving touchdowns. He is the top freshman in those categories.

Oregon left tackle Max Unger, a Hawaii Prep graduate, also made the first team.

Ferguson progressing: Sophomore slotback Jason Ferguson, who tore an ACL on the first play of the season, is progressing well after surgery, according to Bess, his roommate at UH.

"He's off his crutches and in good spirits, rehabbing," Bess said.

Ferguson went home to Los Angeles for surgery and recovery. He is expected back at UH in the spring.

The "other" seniors: It's Senior Night in more ways than one.

Fans age 65 and older get a two-for-one ticket discount.

The offer is available at the Stan Sheriff Center box office in advance and at Aloha Stadium in advance and on game day.

It applies to seats in non-premium areas.